Photographer's Note

This is the magnificent library of Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) inside his family home of Abbotsford House near Melrose in the Scottish Borders. It leads off Scott's private study and is home to several thousands of his collected books.

Scott is probably the best known and most loved of all Scottish writers, being a historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world in the 19th century.

When I last visited Abbotsford House about fifteen years ago, it was in a rather dilapidated state. It has, however, now been taken over by the Abbotsford Trust, a charity created to safeguard the future of the estate and the legacy of Sir Walter Scott and it has only recently been re-opened to the public after very extensive renovation. You can read about the restoration work here.

Hello John,
If this was in a dilapidated state only 15 years ago the restorers must have done a great job. It looks now rather as it should have done when Sir Walter laid down his pen. You used the light well to capture all of this large room with such clarity in every corner. Is he still appreciated from a literary point of view in Britain or mainly honored for his place in history? I think most Swedish writers from those days are very dead by now, with one or two exceptions.
Kind regards,
Gert

Hello John,
Beautiful interior shot. Good light management, pleasantly sharp photo with many details to look at. Good also with the desk guiding the viewer into the photo. Looks like a great restoration job. Interesting to learn about the man and the place.
Have a nice week-end, Claude.

Hi John
I've always been interested in Walter Scott, and liked his Waverley novels when I read some of them many years ago. Your magnificent interior shot shows up the superb restoration/renovation of of this house, and the shiny surfaces and rich red-brown colour tones conjure up a wonderful sense of the past and old things that are cared for. I wonder about some of the titles of those many books.
Anyway, you captured the available light very well and the focal point, no doubt a bust of Scott, in front of the far wall, is well placed off-centre. Perhaps you did a bit of distortion correction on this, for the verticals are very straight; maybe I would have cropped off that little bit of curtain on the right side, but I'm too much of a fusspot sometimes.
Thanks for the link to the renovation work - it really has been and incredible job - and the map of course. Very close to Edinburgh, I see, which is only to be expected.
Regards,
Andrew

The atmosphere of warmth created by the subdued lights and the rich, reddy wood, cannot be denied. For such an old, spacious house, it looks quite cosy!
Your viewpoint is well considered! The lines of table and bookcase funnel us into the room where the details of furniture and fittings are nicely captured.
Your high ISO has worked a treat in this low light setting.

I love this theme which helps to rekindle the happy days we all spent in The Borders.

Hi John
Sweet!!!
how awesome is this scene!
sometimes the indoor look in photo's really doesn't work, and sometimes it hits the mark right on.
this one works so well.

the illumination is tremendous!
look at all that light! the brown wood has almost a golden glow to it.
and I really like your choice of composition too John,
there's not much I don't like about this shot.

I am really enjoying your series on Scott's Library and think that this photo even tops your previous shot. The reflections on the desk and the converging lines are what win it for me. Again knowing how dark it must have been, the lack of noise and the sharpness are incredible. A top shot, one to savour. I'd love a place like this...when I win the lottery.

Hello John
a tantalising and beautifully accomplished shot of this library. The ambience and atmosphere of this place is captured succinctly in this image and I applaud your execution. A real feeling of warmth and a perfectly chosen POV make this both appealing and inviting. Considering the ISO and aperture size here the detailing and clarity are astonishing. Superb work!

Hi John,
You found a very good position to take this picture, a very fine perspective. I am once again impressed by the technical quality, every single detail here is perfectly exposed. The colour harmony is also very attractive.
Kind regards
Gunnar

Hi John,
What a sumptuous place! Rich dark wood, golden light, art, expensive furniture, this is just beautiful. I have to admire your skill to take this so pin sharp in such light, beautifully done. Everything is crystal clear and there is so much to appreciate. The reflection on the table is cool too.

How brilliant to see a place like this saved from dilapidation.
Cheers
Noel

Hi John,
I really do admire your work with these interiors. The light, colours and sharpness are immaculate. This library has a cosy look to it with the warm colours of the wood.
Great work John,
Kind Regards, Ann
p.s. I have a brand new desktop and monitor, PSE12 and Lightroom!

Hi John,
it was a quite smart idea to go inside while we stayed outside -you had a chance to take different photos than everyone else, except for Ann I guess as she has been there before. I like the atmosphere of a library, even the modern one but the old libraries have even more interesting smell. I enjoyed visiting Trinity College library -that was my favourite place in Dublin. I took all my guests there.
Great exposition here in spite of low light conditions.
I have to check my photos from Abbotsford as well.
Excellent work,
M